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Traditional medicinal plants of Valmikis of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India K.N. Reddy, G. Trimurthulu and C. Sudhakar Reddy* Laila Impex R&D Centre, Unit-I, Phase-III, Jawahar Autonagar, Vijayawada-7 * Forestry & Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad-32
[email protected],
[email protected] Abstract Ethnobotanical information of Valmikis have been collected from Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India during 2001-2005. A total of 42 plant species belonging to 37 genera and 30 families were used in traditional medicine to heal different diseases. The present work is an attempt to identify and conserve the medicinal plants in Visakhapatnam district. The study shows a high degree of ethnobotanical novelty and the use of plants among the Valmikis reflects the revival of interest in traditional folk culture. Key words: Ethnomedicine; Valmikis; Visakhapatnam; Andhra Pradesh; India.
Introduction Approximately two thirds of the biological diversity of the world is found in tropical zones. India has the second largest tribal population in the world after Africa (Jagtap et al., 2006). With enormously diversified living ethnic groups and rich biological resources, India represents one of the great emporia of ethnobotanical wealth. Indigenous medicine is now recognized world wide as a health care resource. Visakhapatnam district is situated in between 1715’ and 1832’ N latitude and 8148’ and 8331’ E longitude of north eastern part of Andhra Pradesh. The district is bounded by Vizianagarum district on the North, East Godavari district on the South, Koraput of Orissa on the West and Bay of Bengal on the East (Ramesh, 1979). Visakhapatnam is a home of 14 tribes, namely Bagata, Gadaba, Gond, Konda Kammara, Konda Dora , Kotiya, Khond, Kulia, Mali, Manne Dora, Nooka Dora, Porja, Reddi Dora and Valmiki. Percentage of ST population in Visakhapatnam district is 13.74%. The geographical area of Visakhapatnam district is 11,161 km2 and covers the forest area of 3435 km2 (41.40%). According to 1991 census, the tribal population in the State was 41.99 lakhs. Of these 42,944 Valmikis are living in the agency tracts of Visakhapatnam district. The Valmiki tribe is divided in to following Gotrams in order to regulate the marriage institution among them in Visakhapatnam tribal areas. Naga Bowse (snake), Mastya Bowse (fish), Pangi Bowse (kite), Jilla Bowse (tiger), Vantala Bowse (monkey), Korra Bowse (sun), Bhallu Bowse (bear), Poolu Bowse (flower) and Chilli Bowse (goat). Marriage by mutual consent, Marriage by elopement, widow marriages and divorce are permissible5. Valmikis are agriculturists and now became laborers. Some of them become traders and petty money lenders. They practice Podu cultivation on the slopes of hills (Rao, 1993). Interviewing traditional healers for accurate information about medicinal recipes, their component herbs, and their medicinal and other uses constitutes an important activity in ethno pharmacological field investigation (Lipp, 1989). The knowledge and experience of a traditional healer is considered valuable as it comes from thousands of years of trial and error and forms the basis of modern medicine and therapeutics. Ethnobotanical information of Valmikis is poorly known. Hemadri (1987) surveyed the parts of Andhra Pradesh ethnobotanically. Hence, the present work is under taken to communicate the ethnobotanical plants of Valmikis. The present work is gives additional information on ethnobotanical plants. Material and Methods Ethnobotanical exploration trips were carried out in Valmikis dominated villages during 2001-2005. The area understudy was thoroughly covered and the people were interrogated for information.The informants were chosen because they claimed to be professional practitioners of the traditional medicine of the region. Most of the healers refuse to join a local union or even to cooperate with local physicians because they are afraid that they will be forbidden to practice. Majority of herbal ingredients used by traditional healers are collected from the wild directly by these healers. Interviews were conducted in a place where the informants were most comfortable. At the end of each interview, specimens of plants mentioned for medicinal uses were collected and
identified. Identification of species made with the help of Floras (Gamble & Fischer, 1915-1935; Subba rao & Kumari, 2003). These specimens have been housed in the Herbarium of the Laila Research Centre, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh for further reference. Enumeration In the enumeration, the taxa arranged alphabetically. The name of species is followed by, family name, local name, habit, disease and medicinal uses are given in the table -1.
Table –1: Name of species, family name, local name, habit, disease and medicinal uses: 1. Acacia pennata (L.) Willd. (Mimosaceae) 2.Acanthospermum hispidum DC. (Asteraceae)
L. Name: Korintha. Habit: Climber. L. Name: Chinna palleru. Habit: Herb.
3. Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae)
L. Name: Uttareni, Korruchu. Habit: Herb.
4. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae)
L. Name: Maaredu. Habit: Tree.
5. Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. (Apocynaceae)
L. Name: Konda ganneru. Habit: Tree.
6.Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) 7. Ardisia solanacea Roxb. (Myrsinaceae) 8. Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) 9. Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj. (Convolvulaceae)
L. Name: Nelavemu. Habit: Herb.
10. Bridelia montana (Roxb.) Willd. (Euphorbiaceae)
L. Name: Balli chettu. Habit: Shrub.
11. Caesalpinia bonduc L. (Caesalpiniaceae) 12. Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpiniaceae) 13. Cassia occidentalis L. (Caesalpiniaceae)
L. Name: Gachaaku. Habit: Climber. L. Name: Rella. Habit: Tree. L. Name: Kasinindu. Habit: Shrub.
14. Cassia tora L. (Caesalpiniaceae)
L. Name: Chinnatanthemu. Habit: Herb. L. Name: Maneru tiga. Habit: Climber. L. Name: Pullagontica. Habit: Climber.
15. Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) 16. Cyclea peltata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thoms. (Menispermaceae) 17.Dendrobium herbaceum Lindl. (Orchidaceae) 18. Diospyros sylvatica Roxb. (Ebenaceae) 19. Euphorbia hirta L.
L. Name: Kondamamidi. Habit: Shrub. L. Name: Swarnakshiri. Habit: Herb L. Name: Kokkita tiga. Habit: Climber.
L. Name: Radam. Habit: Herb. L. Name: Nalla gatha. Habit: Tree. L. Name: Macchaaku,
Whooping cough: 5-6g of stem bark juice administered daily twice for five days. Jaundice: 2-3 teaspoons of root decoction administered daily twice for three days. Rotting of teeth: Root piece is used as a toothbrush and the paste (5-6g) is taken orally daily twice for a week. Cold: Stem bark crushed with the leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum (1:1 ratio), paste applied over the temples daily once for until cure. Red & white leucorrhoea: 20ml of stem bark juice administered daily once for a week. Jaundice: 10-15g of leaves are crushed with 2-3 pepper, extract given daily once for three days. Cough: Fresh tender tips (six pieces) are consumed thrice a day for two days. Skin diseases: The seed paste used as an ointment. Hydrocele: Leaf paste is applied over the affected area and bandaged with soft cotton cloth thrice in a week. Cold in children’s: Half teaspoonful of leaf paste administered daily twice for until cure. Hydrocele: The boiled leaf paste is poultice daily once for fortnight. Stomach-ache: One teaspoon of stem bark juice administered thrice in a day. Acute stomach-ache: 15-20g of fresh roots crushed with 1-2 pepper, extract administered twice in a 1-2 hours. Loose motions: 2-3 teaspoons of root decoction given thrice a day for two days. Dysentery: 15g of fruits are consumed daily twice for until cure. Venereal diseases: The root is crushed with sufficient quantity of pepper, extract (20ml) administered daily once for 3-4 days. Earache: The tender tips juice is used as an ear drops daily twice for until cure. Stomach ache: 10-15ml of stem bark juice administered twice in a day. Jaundice: 5-10g of fresh leaf paste
(Euphorbiaceae)
Paalaaku. Habit: Herb.
20.Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) Juss. (Euphorbiaceae) 21. Gloriosa superba L. (Liliaceae) 22. Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. (Leeaceae)
L. Name: Kokkera tiga. Habit: Tree. L. Name: Langali. Habit: Climber. L. Name: Neerub tiga. Habit: Shrub.
23. Leucas aspera (Willd.)Link (Lamiaceae)
L. Name: Tummi. Habit: Herb.
24. Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Robins (Lauraceae)
L. Name: Nara mamidi. Habit: Tree.
25. Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae) 26. Oroxylum indicum (L.)Vent. (Bignoniaceae)
L. Name: Siggu chettu, Attipatti. Habit: Herb. L. Name: Dundilum, Pampena. Habit: Tree.
27. Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae)
L. Name: Chitramoolum. Habit: Herb.
28. Plumeria rubra L. (Apocynaceae)
L. Name: Nooruvaraala chettu. Habit: Tree.
29. Pouzolzia auriculata Wt. (Urticaceae)
L. Name: Pitha tuppa, Endriga tuppa. Habit: Herb. L. Name: Puligoru. Habit: Climber.
30. Schefflera stelleta (Gaertn.) Harms (Araliaceae) 31. Sida acuta Burm.f. (Malvaceae)
administered daily once at early morning for three days. Diet: Only cow milk with rice is taken. Snake bite: 10-12 g of root bark extract administered twice in an hour. Rheumatic pains: Leaf paste used as an ointment. Cold, cough: 1-2 teaspoons of fresh root extract administered daily once for three days. Headache: Leaf paste used as an ointment on temples. Aphrodisiac: Leaves used as a curry. Evil spirits: 1-2 drops of leaf juice used as an eye drops. Body pains: 4-5 spoons of stem bark juice administered daily twice for 2-3 days. Toothache: Root used as a toothbrush. Cold, cough: 1-2 teaspoons of stem bark extract administered daily once for three days. Abortion: The root bark along with those of Arygereia nervosa (Kokkitha) and the leaves of Leucas cephalotes (Tummi) [each 5-10g] are crushed, extract administered daily once for three days. Menstrual pains: 2 teaspoons of stem bark extract administered daily once for one week. Leucoderma: Leaf paste used as an ointment. Evil spirits: Stem bark fiber is used as waist thread.
L. Name: Ganne tuppa. Habit: Herb.
Skin diseases: Leaf paste used as an external application. To seal the holes of iron tins: Leaf paste mixed with coal ash, mixture applied on holes.
32. Solanum anguivi Lam. (Solanaceae)
L. Name: Vaakudu, Mulaka. Habit: Herb.
33. Solanum torvum Sw. (Solanaceae)
L. Name: Chitra. Habit: Herb.
34. Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.)Juss. (Meliaceae) 35. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae)
L. Name: Somi. Habit: Tree. L. Name: Neredu. Habit: Tree.
36. Tephrosia purpuria (L.)Pers. (Papilionaceae)
L. Name: Vempili. Habit: Shrub.
Cough: Two spoons of boiled fruit decoction administered daily once for three days. Cough: Three teaspoons of boiled fruit decoction administered twice a day for three days. Epilepsy: 1-2 drops of fresh stem bark juice used as a nasal drops. Dysentery: 20g of stem bark crushed with those of Mangifera indica (each 20 g), extract administered daily twice for until cure. Rotting of teeth: Root decoction is used as a gargle / Leaf decoction also used as a gargle daily twice or thrice for until cure.
37. Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) 38. Tinospora malabarica (Lam.)Miers (Menispermaceae) 39. Woodfordia fruticosa (L.)Kurz. (Lythraceae)
L. Name: Karaka. Habit: Tree. L. Name: Kodipurru tiga. Habit: Climber.
40. Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. (Apocynaceae) 41. Xanthium strumarium L. (Asteraceae) 42. Ximenia americana L. (Olacaceae)
L. Name: Kodisha paala. Habit: Tree. L. Name: Geeta kayalu. Habit: Herb. L. Name: Nakkera. Habit: Tree.
L. Name: Gaddapotica. Habit: Shrub.
Throat infections: Fruits pulp chewed and sap swallowed daily twice for until cure. Rotting of teeth: Leaves chewed and paste kept on affected teeth to overnight in the mouth. Diarrhoea: 1-2 teaspoons of leaf decoction administered daily twice for until cure. Tooth ache: Stem bark decoction is used as a gargle daily twice for until cure. Weeping of children’s: 4-5g of root paste administered daily once for until cure. Dog bite: Stem bark paste applied over the bitten area and tied with bandage.
Results and Discussion The present study focused mainly on the plant species used by the Valmiki tribes in Visakhapatnam district for various medicinal uses. The reported plants were arranged according to their scientific name and family. Vernacular (local) names as recorded during the field work and uses are presented. During the study period, 42 plant species belonging to 37 genera and 30 families were identified as medicinal plants. Of these 15 species are herbs, followed by trees (13), climbers (8) and shrubs (6). In addition, Leucas cephalotes (herb), Ocimum tenuiflorum (herb) and Mangifera indica (tree) were used as potential ingredients in three diseases. Medical administration includes oral administration of decoctions, poultice and plant parts as paste. The study shows a high degree of ethnobotanical novelty and the use of plants among the Valmikis reflects the revival of interest in traditional folk culture. Conclusion The rapid denudation of natural vegetation in general and medicinal plants in particular has caused much concern among vegetation managers, botanists, ethnobotanists, ecologists and environmentalists. It is therefore necessary to document the first hand information of the region and stress on their conservation to the future generations before the species become extinct. There is a need to support indigenous practices about medicinal plants with a vision to conservation and community development. Acknowledgements: We are thankful to Shri G. Ganga Raju, Chairman, and Shri Rama Raju, Managing Director, Laila Impex, Vijayawada for their keen interest and encouragement. Thanks are due to Forest Department personnel of Visakhapatnam district for their help during fieldwork. References 1. Gamble, J.S. and C.E.C Fischer, 1915-1936. Flora of the Presidency of Madras. vol. 1-3 (vol. 3 by C.E.C Fischer). Adlard & Sons Ltd., London. 2. Jagtap, S.D., S.S. Deokule and S.V. Bhosle, 2006. Some unique ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the Korku tribe of Amravati district of Maharashtra, India. J. Ethnopharmacol., 107:463 - 469. 3. Hemadri, K. 1987. Andhra Pradeshlo Vanamulikalu. Chemiloids, Vijayawada. 4. Lipp, F.J.1989. Methods for ethnopharmacological field work. J. Ethnopharmacol., 25: 139– 150. 5. Ramesh, N. 1979. Andhra Pradesh district gazetteers- Visakhapatnam. Govt. of. Andhra Pradesh. 6. Rao, M.K. 1993. Socio-cultural profile of tribes of Andhra Pradesh. TCR & TI, Hyderabad. 7. Subba Rao, G.V. and G.R. Kumari. 2003. Flora of Visakhapatnam district. Andhra Pradesh. Vol. 1. Botanical Survey of India. Kolkata.
